COMMUNITY PROJECTS FUND 2024-25
Community Consultation There was a large-scale consultation carried out from March to June 2023 by the NorthWest Glasgow Voluntary Sector Network (attached) and this has given us a clear indication and benchmark of what the local community wants. Through online surveys, a community event and focus groups, upwards of 450 local households had the opportunity to express their views over three months, including people who represent communities of interest, such as those in recovery, as well as representatives of the local Community Council. Three key themes emerged:
• the need for a place for the community to come together and share food, • the need for activities for children and young people • improved communications and marketing. There was a particular emphasis on the needs of children & young people as the respondents felt there was a distinct need here with concerns about young people lacking things to do and families being unable to afford after-school and weekend activities for their children. Interestingly it wasn’t just respondents of the children and family’s activity day that commented on the need for more activities for children and families - it’s clear the whole community think there is a need here. Anecdotally, we know that Whiteinch has the highest density of individuals per capita across the city requiring support with mental ill health, and this brings with it a range of
associated challenges around engagement with mainstream services, as well as exacerbating the impact of trauma on the individual. WSHA carried out a tenant satisfaction survey in July 2023 and the data indicates that:
• 76% of the sample were concerned about their ability to afford energy costs. • 62% were concerned about food costs. • 67% of WSHA tenants (who represent circa 35% of the local housing stock) are in receipt of means-tested benefits. However, there are many households that do not meet the criteria for benefits or other provision, and we know that many of these households are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. These households include (but are not limited to) single adult households, working households and those of BAME origin. As we move forward, we will conduct ongoing and iterative consultations to ensure that our activities and plan are led by, and align with, the wants and aspirations of the local community. These consultations will use a variety of methods, including, but not limited, to chatting to centre users, surveys in a variety of guises, social media feedback, and community events. The Whiteinch Centre will directly involve local people by offering volunteer and leadership opportunities. By empowering local people to take an active role in the development and delivery of activities and programs, the centre can create a sense of ownership and investment in the community.
What is happening in your local community? The Whiteinch Centre (TWC) serves communities across four data zones within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. •
The 2020 data tells us that three of the four zones are amongst the most deprived 10%.
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Datazone S01010425 has a ranking of 343rd out of 6,976 – placing it within the most deprived 5% of communities in Scotland.
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Whiteinch has the lowest score of 1% when it comes to income, health and employment.
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Whiteinch has an average quintile score of 2% across the four datazones for education and skill.
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Whiteinch is a community identified as amongst the most disadvantaged 10% of Scotland where 31% are income deprived.
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58% of children (P4-P7) are entitled to free holiday food provision through the Scottish Government’s free school meals scheme
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25% of people are prescribed drugs for anxiety, depression or psychosis
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23% have had addiction related hospital stays.
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TWC is one of the 24% of third-sector organisations that have had to reduce delivery since 2021 and one of the 22% that have had to withdraw services entirely, despite experiencing increased demand for our services because of the cost-of-living crisis.
What is Participatory Budgeting? Participatory budgeting (PB) is recognised internationally as a way for local people to have a direct say in how, and where, public funds can be used to address local needs. The Scottish Government supports PB as a tool for community engagement which sits alongside the objectives of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and as
an important resource to build on the wider development of participatory democracy in Scotland. If you would like more information about Participatory Budgeting check out the following websites: www.pbscotland.scot www.pbnetwork.org.uk
The Whiteinch & Scotstoun Housing Association Community Projects Fund Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association (WSHA) has created a community projects fund of £12,000.00 with the support of gift aid from our subsidiaries WSES and WSPM.
The Community Projects Fund will be administered by the Community Advisory Group from the Whiteinch Centre which is made of members of the local community. The group will be supported throughout the process by the staff of WSHA and the Whiteinch Centre.
Community Investment Key Priorities for 2024-2025 1. Support people into employment 2. Improve local environments. 3. Recognise and reduce social isolation in our communities. 4. Reduce food and energy poverty in our communities. 5. Increase digital inclusion. 6. Improve Health and Wellbeing
This year, the WSHA Community Projects Fund is split into two separate strands Strand 1: Young People Projects
Strand 2: General Community Projects
Value of Funding Pot: £6,000.00
Value of Funding Pot: £6,000.00
Minimum Value: £500.00
Minimum Value: £500.00
Maximum Value: £1,500.00
Maximum Value: £1,500.00
Applications are invited from individuals, groups, and organisations to provide community projects or opportunities to learn, grow or play for young people within the Whiteinch and Scotstoun area (a young person is 8 to 26).
Applications are invited from individuals, groups, and organisations working or delivering in the Whiteinch and Scotstoun community. The project ideas should fit with our community investment key priorities as outlined in the supporting information.
How does it work? Local individuals, groups and organisations bid for funding for their projects. The Community Advisory Group will assess all applications to ensure that they align with at least one of the Community Investment Priorities for 2024-25. Provided they meet the criteria, the applications will be taken forward to the Decision Event on the 16th March 2024 which will be held at the Whiteinch Centre. The approved applications will be presented to residents at the Decision Event, where members of the local community can vote for the project that they would like to secure funding. The winning projects will be announced that day, so residents will know who has been successful.
How do I participate? You can submit your project idea by completing an application form or you can get involved by simply turning up to the decision event and casting your vote for the project or group you think is most worthy.
Who can apply? Project proposals are invited from individuals, groups and organisations either delivering or proposing to deliver, operate or benefit people within the postcode area of G14. •
Individuals, groups and organisations can apply once for each of the 2 Funding Strands: Young Persons Project Strand and the General Community Projects Strand
What can I apply for? The criteria is that your project must benefit WSHA tenants, local community and support at least one of the Community Investment Key Priorities for 2024-2025. 1. Support people into employment 2. Improve local environments. 3. Recognise and reduce social isolation in our communities. 4. Reduce food and energy poverty in our communities. 5. Increase digital inclusion. 6. Improve Health and Wellbeing
We will not fund….
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Applications from Glasgow City Council or Arms Lengths External Organisations (ALEOs), Other HA’s or Housing Providers will not be considered.
How much can be applied for? You can apply up to a maximum of £1,500. The minimum award is £500.
Application Process The application will be considered by a local Steering Group and if we receive a large number of applications, we may need to short list the applications. If your application is not put forward to the next round, we will help you look at other options for funding.
What is a Story Board? To help promote your project all short-listed projects will be asked to produce a Story Board (an A1 display) which will outline the key information for your project. Name of Project Idea, Delivered by: Individual, group or organisation, Description, When, Where, Project Target Group, Project Cost, Benefit to the Community. The Whiteinch Centre and WSHA will provide materials for the Story Board and hold workshops to help you produce a Story Board for your project and the Decision Event. All Story Boards will be on display at the Decision Event to help promote your project to everyone who attends.
Decision Event A Spring themed Participatory Budget Decision event will be held at the Whiteinch Centre on Saturday 16th March 2024. Refreshments, and activities will be available at the events. The event will ‘showcase’ all the project ideas through the story boards which will be on display for all the audience to see. The ‘Big Vote’ will allow all participants to vote for the favourite projects. The project winners will be announced at the day.
TIMELINE Monday 11th December 2023 Call for applications and launch of the process Monday 29th January 2024 Deadline for applications Thursday 1st February 2024 Wednesday 7th February 2024 Community Advisory Group Assessment Notification to Applicants W/C: 26th February 2024 Story Board Creation workshops Saturday 16th March 2024 PB Decision event – Whiteinch Centre Please submit your application and checklist by 5pm on Monday 29th January 2024 to: TBC
If you have any questions about the Community Projects Fund or would like an application form, please do not hesitate to contact us at wsha_admin@wsha.org.uk or call us on 0141 959 2552 and speak to our Community Services Team.
Application Check List Essential Criteria for All Applications Please read carefully and tick the boxes accordingly. You must be able to comply with all the conditions Individuals, groups and organisations either delivering or proposing to deliver, operate or benefit people within the postcode area of G14 •
The project must provide a benefit to WSHA tenants, the local communities and meet at least one of WSHA’s Community Investment Priorities:
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Support people into employment
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Improve local environments.
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Recognise and reduce social isolation in our communities.
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Reduce food and energy poverty in our communities.
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Increase digital inclusion.
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Improve Health and Wellbeing
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Clearly indicate which strand of funding (Young People/Community Projects) you are applying to
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You must be able to attend the decision event on: 16.03.2023
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Prepare a Project Story Board Display
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You must have any legal permission required to carry out your project
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You must have appropriate insurance in place for your project
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You must have PVG checks in place if appropriate
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Allow your project to be used in any promotional material
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Submit a monitoring and evaluation report detailing the outputs and outcomes of your project to the Community Advisory Group.
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You must have a bank account, otherwise we will be unable to award you funding.
You can apply up to a maximum of £1,500 or minimum of £500 per applicant group /organisation You must be able to spend the funds within 12 months if successful
The Whiteinch Centre 1 Northinch Court Glasgow G14 0UG Tel: 0141 959 2552 Fax: 0141 950 4432 Email: wsha_admin@wsha.org.uk Whiteinch & Scotstoun Housing Association Ltd. – a Charity Registered in Scotland No. SC035633